Some thoughts on publicity.

1) Well-designed two color brochure will be as effective as
   badly-designed multi-color stuff.  For example, the silly poster
   designed for the ARA accomplished nothing in promoting the image
   of Ada.

   Most important is clarity of message. If color helps with that, fine.

2) Our intended audience, for the most part, already knows about Tri-Ada.
   What they want to know is when, where, how much, and what is on the
   program.

3) The money spent on color could better be spent on coverage.  That is,
   we need to be sure that notices of Tri-Ada appear in the calendar section
   of every computer publication in the world.  Year after year we fail to
   get on the ComputerWorld calendar.  The same is true of other calendars.

4) Talked to a manager at a client site last week by phone. Programmers in
   my class said, "We don't have the budget to send anyone to Tri-Ada this
   year."  Mentioned this to the manager.  Was told, "I'm sure we can find
   enough money to send at least one person."   We need to target the
   decision-makers with persuavive arguments to "find enough money" so
   they will send people.

5) I attended a conference recently which sent out no brochure. Everything
   was done over the Web.  They are a usually a small conference, but lost
   no attendance because of this change.  If we want snappy color, use the
   Web.  Animate it. Whatever.

6) I do like the postcard reminders.


Richard Riehle


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AdaWorks Software Engineering
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